Moving situation information providing method and server

ABSTRACT

Research server  4  transmits to moving status search server  3  a request for providing moving status information containing a conditional expression, designating attributes of users to be researched. Moving status search server  3  extracts users having user attribute information (information such as address, occupation or the like, of each user) matching the conditional expression and obtains location information from mobile stations  1  which the users possess. In this way, moving status search server  3  generates moving status information on the basis of location information of users having user attribute information matching the conditional expression, and transmits the generated moving status information to research server  4.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a server; and a moving statusinformation providing method for obtaining moving status informationindicating moving statuses of users of mobile stations on the basis oflocation information of the mobile stations, and providing other thirdparties with the obtained moving status information.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, systems for obtaining information indicating alocation of a mobile station (hereinafter referred to as “locationinformation”) in various ways have steadily become commercially viablein mobile communication networks such as cellular telephones and so on.An example of such a system is as follows: On a PHS (Personal HandyphoneSystem; registered trademark) network, the radio zone of a base stationwhere a mobile station is at present, can be determined and locationinformation of the mobile station can be obtained on the basis of thelocation of the base station. Also in use is a method for obtaininglocation information of a mobile station, whereby a GPS (GlobalPositioning System) is installed in the mobile station.

[0003] Various uses for the location information have been developed.Location information can be communicated through a network and displayedon the screen of a personal computer; or provided through facsimile inthe form of an image of a map of the location.

[0004] The aforementioned location information is greatly valued due toits wide range of applicability in many situations. It is especiallyuseful in doing related statistical research (hereinafter referred to as“research”). For example, individual corporations carry out research byquestioning consumers on the street about fast-moving consumer goods, orpopular sites, in order to determine ideal opening locations of a newshop or the best location for the sale of goods. In this case, ifinformation indicating how a consumer has been moving (hereinafterreferred to as “moving status information”), can be obtained by themethod detailed above, and without questioning consumers on the street,research for popular sites, and fast-moving consumer goods can readilybe made available.

[0005] However, moving status information contains information that isprivate and confidential, such as current locations and a change oflocation of individuals who happen to be carrying a mobile communicationdevice. Such information when accessed and utilized by a third partywithout the knowledge, and approval of the carriers of mobilecommunication devices, it may lead to serious legal problems.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0006] The present invention was developed against the background of theabove-mentioned prior art, and provides a moving status informationproviding method for obtaining moving status information of users ofmobile stations on the basis of location information of mobile stations,and providing organizations other than a mobile communication carrierwith the moving status information while also protecting the privacy ofthe users; and a server.

[0007] In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides amoving status information providing method comprising: a step ofobtaining location information indicating a location of a mobile stationserved by a mobile communication network; a step of receiving adesignation of arbitrary target attribute information and a period ofmonitoring a moving status by a server storing, in correspondence withthe mobile station, target attribute information indicating an attributeof a target carrying the mobile station; a step of generating, by theserver, moving status information of the mobile station corresponding tothe designated target attribute information on the basis of time serieslocation information obtained by the mobile communication network withinthe designated period of monitoring; and a step of providing, by theserver, moving status information generated in the step of generatingmoving status information, to an agent outside of the mobilecommunication network.

[0008] In one preferred form, the location information is generated bythe mobile station and reported to the server.

[0009] In another preferred form, the location information is generatedby the mobile communication network on the basis of the location of abase station serving a mobile station.

[0010] In another preferred form, the server further includes a step ofregistering the target attribute information of a target carrying themobile station in correspondence with the mobile station.

[0011] In another preferred form, the server registers the targetattribute information of only a user of the mobile station, who agreesto the accessing of moving status information in the step of registeringtarget attribute information.

[0012] In another preferred form, the moving status informationproviding method further includes: a step of extracting, by the server,a mobile station corresponding to the target attribute informationmatching a condition designated from an agent outside of the mobilecommunication network; and in the step of obtaining locationinformation, the mobile communication network obtains locationinformation of the mobile station extracted by the server in theextracting step.

[0013] In another preferred form, the moving status informationproviding method further includes: a step of extracting, by the server,a mobile station corresponding to the target attribute informationmatching a condition designated from an agent outside of the mobilecommunication network; and a step of registering mobile stationidentification information for uniquely specifying the mobile stationextracted by the server in the extracting step, and in the step ofobtaining location information, the mobile communication network obtainslocation information of a mobile station corresponding to the mobilestation identification information registered by the server in the stepof registering mobile station identification information.

[0014] In another preferred form, the server provides in the providingstep, the moving status information in a format designated by an agentoutside of the mobile communication network.

[0015] In another preferred form, the server transmits the moving statusinformation to a node outside of the mobile communication network whichis capable of communicating with the server in the providing step.

[0016] In another preferred form, the server transmits in the providingstep, the moving status information to a node outside of the mobilecommunication network which is capable of communicating with the server,and the node links the moving status information transmitted from theserver with a condition designated in the extracting step.

[0017] In another preferred form, the server calls a mobile stationwhose location information is to be obtained, and obtains the locationinformation from the mobile station in the step of obtaining locationinformation.

[0018] In another preferred form, the moving status information isinformation showing the moving status of the target on a map.

[0019] In another preferred form, location information is presented on amap, and shows how a plurality of targets having a designated attributeconverge on a certain dot on the map.

[0020] In another preferred form, information presented on the map showswhich path the plurality of targets having a designated attribute movebetween a plurality of dots designated on the map.

[0021] In another preferred form, information presented on the map showswhich path the plurality of targets having a designated attribute movein a designated area on the map.

[0022] In another preferred form, information presented on the map showswhich path the plurality of targets having a designated attribute movein a designated space on the map.

[0023] In another preferred form, the user receives a return value fromthe owner of the server, for providing the moving status information ofthe designated target.

[0024] In another preferred form, the server stores a pointcorresponding to the value of an amount to be paid by the owner of theserver to the user in correspondence with the user, and the user of themobile station redeems the points for a service with a correspondingvalue offered by the server.

[0025] In another preferred form, the owner of the server is also amobile communication carrier providing a communication service via themobile communication network, and determines a service charge forproviding the communication service through the mobile communicationnetwork, in consideration of compensation to be paid to the user of themobile station.

[0026] In another preferred form, an owner of the server is a mobilecommunication carrier providing a communication service via the mobilecommunication network, and the owner of the server provides a servicecorresponding to the value of the amount to be paid to the user of themobile station by attaching the service to the communication service.

[0027] In another preferred form, a target carrying the mobile stationis a user of the mobile station.

[0028] In another preferred form, the mobile station is a cellular phoneperforming communication via the mobile communication network.

[0029] The present invention provides a server comprising: a storingunit which stores target attribute information indicating an attributeof a target carrying a mobile station in correspondence with the mobilestation; a designation receiving unit which receives a designation ofarbitrary target attribute information and a period of monitoring amoving status; a moving status information generating unit whichgenerates moving status information of the mobile station correspondingto the designated target attribute information based on time serieslocation information obtained by the mobile communication network withinthe designated period of monitoring; and a providing unit which providesmoving status information generated in the step of generating movingstatus information to an agent outside of the mobile communicationnetwork.

[0030] In another preferred form, the location information is generatedby the mobile station and reported to the server.

[0031] In another preferred form, the location information is generatedby the mobile communication network on the basis of the location of abase station serving a mobile station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a moving statusinformation providing method according to the present embodiment.

[0033]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobilecommunication system according to the present embodiment.

[0034]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing moving status information according tothe present embodiment.

[0035]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of mobilestation 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0036]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of researchserver 4 according to the present embodiment.

[0037]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing request management table TBL1according to the present embodiment.

[0038]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the memory content of moving statusinformation database 44 of research server 4 according to the presentembodiment.

[0039]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of moving statussearch server 3 according to the present embodiment.

[0040]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the memory content of user attributeinformation database 33 of moving status search server 3 according tothe present embodiment.

[0041]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing request content storing table TBL2according to the present embodiment.

[0042]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing request code correspondence tableTBL3 according to the present embodiment.

[0043]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing location information obtainment tableTBL4 according to the present embodiment.

[0044]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the memory content of locationinformation storing unit 35 of moving status search server 3 accordingto the present embodiment.

[0045]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing of moving statussearch server 3 according to the present embodiment when a request forproviding moving status information is transmitted from research server4.

[0046]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing of moving statussearch server 3 according to the present embodiment in obtaininglocation information.

[0047]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing of moving statussearch server 3 according to the present embodiment in generating movingstatus information and transmitting moving status information.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] The embodiment of the present invention will be explained belowwith reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the present inventionis applied to a mobile communication network.

[0049] [1] First Embodiment

[0050] [1.1] Outline of Moving Status Information Providing MethodAccording to the First Embodiment

[0051]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the outline of a moving statusinformation providing method according to the first embodiment of theinvention. The outline of the moving status information providing methodaccording to the first embodiment will be explained as described belowwith reference to the drawing.

[0052] Step S1: Mobile communication carrier NC makes a contract withuser UZ who enjoys a communication service of the carrier to agree toprovide external organizations with moving status information(hereinafter referred to as “moving status information-providingcontract”). Moving status information with which mobile communicationcarrier NC provides research company MC is in a user friendly form towhich location information of each user UZ has been converted, andindicates a description of traffic lines of users UZ on a real map. Themoving status information will be explained in detail later.

[0053] User UZ may make the moving status information-providing contractat the time he/she subscribes to the communication service of mobilecommunication carrier NC, or after subscribing to the communicationservice.

[0054] Step S2: A company RC applying for research (hereinafter referredto as “company RC”) requests research company MC to research byspecifying a research period, and attributes of users UZ to beresearched (for example, age, sex, and so on).

[0055] Step S3: Research company MC designates attributes of users UZcorresponding to the request of company RC and asks mobile communicationcarrier NC to provide moving status information.

[0056] Step S4: Mobile communication carrier NC extracts users UZ withattributes matching the moving status information request of company RC,from users UZ who are under the moving status information-providingcontract. Then, mobile communication carrier NC obtains the requestedlocation information of extracted users UZ. Mobile communication carrierNC generates moving status information on the basis of the obtainedlocation information and provides research company MC with the generatedmoving status information.

[0057] Step S5: Research company MC provides company RC with findings ofresearch corresponding to the request for research on the basis of themoving status information provided by mobile communication carrier NC.Contents of the findings of the research which research company MCprovides company RC are determined on the basis of the request fromcompany RC.

[0058] For example, in a case where the content of the request forresearch is “researching popular sites for men in their thirties”,research company MC researches what places men in their thirties visit,and how many of the men visit these places, on the basis of the movingstatus information provided by mobile communication carrier NC. Researchcompany MC draws up findings of research such as popular site rankingsor the like, and provides company RC with the findings of the research.

[0059] Step S6: Company RC pays research company MC a research charge incompensation for the research.

[0060] Step S7: Research company MC deducts a set commission from theresearch charge which research company MC has received from company RCand pays mobile communication carrier NC the commission as the movingstatus information providing charge. The moving status informationproviding charge which research company MC pays mobile communicationcarrier NC is set by a mutual and a free contract between them. Thus,the moving status information providing charge can be set in variousmanners.

[0061] For example, mobile communication carrier NC and research companyMC may make a charge structure in advance and determine the movingstatus information providing charge on the basis of the chargestructure. In this case, the moving status information providing chargewhich research company MC pays mobile communication carrier NC iscalculated at a predetermined rate according to the quantity ofinformation which has been provided, that is the number of persons whosemoving status information is provided by mobile communication carrierNC. Thus, the amount, which, research company MC earns as a commissionis derived from the following calculation: a research charge taken fromcompany RC, minus the moving status information providing charge paid tomobile communication carrier NC.

[0062] Step S8: Mobile communication carrier NC deducts a set commissionfrom the moving status information providing charge, which mobilecommunication carrier NC has received from research company MC, anddivides the commission amount equally and distributes the equallydivided commission to each user UZ who has provided moving statusinformation. As methods of distributing the moving status informationproviding charge to users UZ, the below described methods can beemployed.

[0063] 1. First Method of Distributing Moving Status InformationProviding Charge to Users UZ

[0064] In this method, the money to be distributed to each user UZ ispaid into a bank account of each user UZ.

[0065] 2. Second Method of Distributing Moving Status InformationProviding Charge to Users UZ

[0066] In this method, the money to be distributed to each user UZ isadjusted against the communication charge for the communication serviceprovided by mobile communication carrier NC, which each user UZ mustpay. Mobile communication carrier NC adds up the amount to be paid ascompensation for providing moving status information on a monthly basiswith respect to each user UZ, and deletes the sum from the communicationcharges to be paid by each user UZ.

[0067] 3. Third Method of Distributing Moving Status InformationProviding Charge to Users UZ

[0068] In this method, mobile communication carrier NC provides users UZwith a service, other than the communication service, corresponding invalue to the compensation amount to be paid to each user UZ. One exampleof such a service, would be for mobile communication carrier NC toprovide only users UZ providing moving status information with a specialservice which enables users UZ to browse their own moving statusinformation on a monthly basis, and so on. In this case, the charge forancillary services which are provided by mobile communication carrier NCalong with the communication service such as the Internet connectionservice, and so on, may be deducted from the compensation amount.

[0069] 4. Fourth Method of Distributing Moving Status InformationProviding Charge to Users UZ

[0070] In this method, each time users UZ provide moving statusinformation; they are rewarded with redeemable points corresponding invalue to the compensation amount. Users UZ may utilize these points toobtain predetermined bonuses from mobile communication carrier NC. UsersUZ can obtain bonuses such as a bicycle for 300 points, a towel for 100points and so on. These points may be redeemed for cash vouchers such asa gift coupon and so on, by converting the points to a currency amount.

[0071] The following embodiment of the present invention gives a moredetailed description of the above mentioned fourth method ofdistributing the moving status information providing charge to each userUZ.

[0072] The foregoing is the description of the moving status informationproviding method according to the present embodiment. Referring to theconfiguration and the operation of the mobile communication system ofthe present embodiment explained below will deepen understanding of themoving status information providing method according to the presentembodiment.

[0073] [1.2] Configuration of Mobile Communication Network

[0074] (a) Configuration of Entire System

[0075]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobilecommunication system according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 2, the mobile communication system according to the presentembodiment comprises a plurality of mobile stations 1; a mobile packetcommunication network 2 serving mobile stations 1; a moving statussearch server 3; and a research server 4. For simplicity, FIG. 2 showsonly one mobile station 1 among a plurality of mobile stations 1 in thesystem.

[0076] Mobile stations 1 are portable communication terminals such ascellular telephones and so on, served by mobile packet communicationnetwork 2. Users UZ are the carriers of mobile station 1. Using mobilestation 1 enables users UZ to enjoy a packet switching service of mobilepacket communication network 2, and a call service of a mobile telephonenetwork not shown. Mobile station 1 has the function of transmitting thepresent location of mobile station 1, that is the present location ofuser UZ, to moving status search server 3 along with the usual functionsof cellular telephones and so on.

[0077] Moving status search server 3 is a computer system which mobilecommunication carrier NC possesses. Moving status search server 3extracts users UZ, with attributes matching a request for providingmoving status information, from among users UZ who are under a movingstatus information-providing contract, and obtains location informationof mobile stations 1 of users UZ. Then, moving status search server 3generates moving status information on the basis of the obtainedlocation information.

[0078]FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams showing moving status information. InFIGS. 3A to 3D, dots plotted on the maps correspond to locationinformation obtained from mobile station 1 (latitude•longitude). FIG. 3Bshows the detail, part A1, which is the area enclosed with a chain lineon the map shown in FIG. 3A; FIG. 3C shows the detail, part A2, which isthe area enclosed with a chain line on the map shown in FIG. 3B; andFIG. 3D shows the detail, part A3, which is the area enclosed with achain line on the map shown in FIG. 3C.

[0079] Moving status search server 3 stores geographic informationrepresenting maps of each area. Moving status search server 3 plots dotson the maps on a latitude/longitude grid corresponding to locationinformation, which has been obtained from mobile station 1. Movingstatus search server 3 generates moving status information shown inFIGS. 3A to 3D by connecting the plotted dots with a line. Further,moving status search server 3 transmits the generated moving statusinformation to research server 4.

[0080] Research server 4 is a computer system, which research company MCpossesses. Research server 4 of research company MC designatesattributes of users UZ to be researched on the basis of a request forresearch from company RC, and transmits a request for providing movingstatus information to moving status search server 3. Research server 4receives moving status information transmitted from moving status searchserver 3. Research company MC draws up findings of the researchcorresponding to the request for research on the basis of moving statusinformation which research server 4 receives and provides company RCwith the findings.

[0081] The configuration of moving status search server 3 and researchserver 4 will be explained in detail later.

[0082] Research company MC may provide company RC with the findings ofthe research through any of the following several methods. For example,an employee of research company MC may print out the findings ofresearch, and personally hand over the printed findings of the researchto the concerned person at company RC. Research company MC may transmitthe findings of the research to a server or a terminal of company RC viaa network.

[0083] (b) Configuration of Mobile Station 1

[0084]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the configuration of mobile station 1according to the present embodiment.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4, mobile station 1 comprises control unit 11;transmitter/receiver unit 12; command-inputting unit 13; liquid crystaldisplay unit 14; location information-calculating unit 15, and bus 16,which interconnects these units.

[0086] Transmitter/receiver unit 12 performs radio communication withbase station 21 of mobile packet communication network 2.

[0087] Command-inputting unit 13 comprises various buttons such as a PB(push button) and a cursor key, and provides CPU 111 of control unit 11with operation data corresponding to the input operations of a user. CPU111 reads the input commands of the user on the basis of the inputoperation data, and performs controls corresponding to the commands.

[0088] Liquid crystal display unit 14 comprises a display device such asa liquid crystal panel and so on, and displays a variety of informationunder the control of control unit 11.

[0089] Location information-calculating unit 15 comprises a GPS receivernot shown, which measures the latitude and longitude indicating alocation of mobile station 1 on the basis of GPS signals which the GPSreceiver receives, and provides location information to CPU 111 in theform of the latitude and longitude measurement.

[0090] Control unit 11 comprises CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111; ROM(Read Only Memory) 112; and RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, and controlseach unit of mobile station 1. ROM 112 stores a mobile station ID foruniquely specifying mobile stations 1 in mobile packet communicationnetwork 2; a control program for controlling the whole of mobile station1, and various control information. Moreover, ROM 112 stores a programfor transmitting location information of mobile station 1 to movingstatus search server 3 (hereinafter referred to as “locationinformation-reporting program”).

[0091] RAM 113 is used as a work area of CPU 111.

[0092] In carrying out various processing, CPU 111 reads out variouscontrol programs, which have been stored in ROM 112 and followsprocedures written in the programs. For example, when CPU 111 instructslocation information-calculating unit 15 to calculate locationinformation, CPU 111 reads out the location information-reportingprogram, which has been stored in ROM 112 and follows the procedurewritten in the program. When location information-calculating unit 15provides location information to CPU 111, CPU 111 transmits the locationinformation to mobile packet communication network 2 viatransmitter/receiver unit 12. The location information transmitted frommobile station 1 is received by moving status search server 3 via mobilepacket communication network 2.

[0093] (c) Configuration of Research Server 4

[0094]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of researchserver 4 according to the present embodiment.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 5, research server 4 comprises system controlunit 41; a communication unit 42; request management table storing unit43; moving status information database 44; interface unit 45, andoperation terminal 46.

[0096] System control unit 41 comprises a CPU; a ROM; a RAM and so on(not shown). ROM stores a control program for obtaining from movingstatus search server 3, moving status information corresponding to arequest from research server 4 to moving status search server 3 toprovide moving status information. CPU carries out the processing forobtaining moving status information from moving status search server 3by carrying out the control program.

[0097] Communication unit 42 performs packet switching via mobile packetcommunication network 2. Research server 4 requests moving status searchserver 3 to provide moving status information by packet switching andreceives the transmitted moving status information. Interface unit 45mediates data transmission/reception between system control unit 41 andoperation terminal 46.

[0098] Operation terminal 46 is a device such as a PC (PersonalComputer) or the like, connected with research server 4. An operator ofresearch company MC inputs into operation terminal 46, information suchas, a client's name (company RC's name), a research period, andconditions of research on the basis of a request for research fromcompany RC.

[0099] Research conditions to be inputted into operation terminal 46 aredetermined on the basis of requests for research from company RC. Thecondition of the search can take any form, which is within thetechnological scope of the program. For example, research conditions canbe input in the form of a sentence, or a form of a conditionalexpression composed of a combination of keywords after extractingpredetermined keywords from the contents of the request for research.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the conditional expression composed ofa combination of keywords extracted from contents of the request forresearch will be used as the method of inputting research conditions.

[0101] For example, we assume that the content of a research requestfrom company RC is, “popular sites for male office workers in theirthirties living in Tokyo”. In this case, research company MC extractsspecific keywords such as “the thirties”, “male”, “Tokyo”, “officeworker”, and “popular sites”. The conditional expression, for example,“male”, * “the thirties”, * “Tokyo”, * “office worker”* “popular sites”is based on these keywords. In the conditional expression “*” represents“AND condition”. On the other hand, when keywords are designated byusing “OR condition” such as “the thirties or the twenties” and so on,the conditional expression including “OR condition” can be made bydescribing “the thirties or the twenties” as (the twenties+thethirties).

[0102] Request management table storing unit 43 stores requestmanagement table TBL1 for managing contents of requests from companiesRC. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing request management table TBL1. As shownin FIG. 6, request management table TBL1 stores names of clients havingrequested for research (here, names of companies RC), request codescorresponding to the requests, research periods corresponding to therequests, and conditional expressions of the research, so as to linkthem. The request codes are uniquely determined in response to requestsfrom companies RC.

[0103] When information such as a conditional expression and so on, isinputted into operation terminal 46, system control unit 41 temporallystores inputted information in request management table TBL1. Then,system control unit 41 reads out a request code, a research period, anda conditional expression which have been stored in request managementtable TBL1 and transmits, to moving status search server 3, a requestfor providing moving status information to which all of the informationmentioned above has been added.

[0104] Moving status information database 44 is a database for storingmoving status information transmitted from moving status search server3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the memory content of moving statusinformation database 44. As shown in FIG. 7, moving status informationdatabase 44 stores moving status information corresponding to eachrequest code.

[0105] When moving status information corresponding to each request forproviding moving status information is transmitted from moving statussearch server 3, system control unit 41 stores received moving statusinformation in moving status information database 44 in correspondencewith the request code of the request for providing moving statusinformation. Consequently, moving status information database 44 storesmoving status information corresponding to each of the requests.

[0106] (d) Configuration of Moving Status Search Server 3

[0107]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of movingstatus search server 3 according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 8, moving status search server 3 comprises system control unit 31;communication unit 32; user attribute information database 33; tablestoring unit 34; location information storing unit 35; user pointstoring unit 36 and account data storing unit 37.

[0108] System control unit 31 comprises a CPU; a ROM; a hard disk and soon (not shown). ROM stores the control program for obtaining locationinformation from mobile stations 1 and generating moving statusinformation on the basis of the location information, and providingresearch server 4 with the moving status information. ROM storesgeographic information for generating moving status information. CPUobtains location information from mobile stations 1 and generates movingstatus information by carrying out the control program. Further, CPUtemporally stores generated moving status information in the hard disk,reads out the moving status information and transmits the moving statusinformation to research server 4.

[0109] User attribute information database 33 stores information ofusers UZ having mobile station 1 who are under the moving statusinformation-providing contract and receive the packet switching serviceof mobile packet communication network 2.

[0110]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the memory content of user attributeinformation database 33. As shown in FIG. 9, user attribute informationdatabase 33 stores user attribute information for each mobile station 1of each user UZ who is under the moving status information-providingcontract. User attribute information is information indicating variousattributes such as age, sex, address, occupation, position, annualincome, hobby, and buying habits of users etc. User attributeinformation which has been stored in user attribute information database33 is collected through questionnaires which users answer in advancewhen making the moving status information-providing contract.

[0111] Table storing unit 34 stores various tables. These tables areused in order for system control unit 31 to obtain location informationfrom users UZ who are under the moving status information-providingcontract and carry out the processing for generating moving statusinformation on the basis of the location information.

[0112] Various tables include request content storing table TBL2. When arequest for providing moving status information is transmitted fromresearch server 4, request content storing table TBL2 stores a varietyof information added to the request. FIG. 10 is a diagram showingrequest content storing table TBL2. As shown in FIG. 10, request contentstoring table TBL2 stores a request code, a research period, and aconditional expression, which are added to the request for providingmoving status information.

[0113] Moving status search server 3 transmits the generated movingstatus information to research server 4 after adding the request codecorresponding to the moving status information. Since moving statussearch server 3 transmits moving status information after adding therequest code to the moving status information in this manner, researchserver 4 can link the transmitted moving status information withcontents of the request from company RC.

[0114] At this stage, moving status search server 3 does not add tomoving status information, information indicating a specific user whosemoving status information is provided, (for example, mobile station ID),when transmitting moving status information. Thus, moving statusinformation can be provided to third parties other than mobilecommunication carrier NC while users providing moving status informationare not specified. As a result, the privacy of each user UZ isprotected.

[0115] Various tables stored in table storing unit 34 include aplurality of processing code correspondence tables, and a locationinformation search table apart from request content storing table TBL2.FIG. 11 is a diagram showing request code correspondence table TBL3.FIG. 12 is a diagram showing location information obtainment table TBL4.

[0116] Each time a request for providing moving status information istransmitted from research server 4, system control unit 31 preparesrequest code correspondence table TBL3 to be stored in table storingunit 34. As shown in FIG. 11, request code correspondence tables TBL3include request codes and mobile station IDs.

[0117] The mobile station IDs which have been stored in request codecorrespondence tables TBL3 are mobile station IDs of mobile stations 1corresponding to user attribute information matching the conditionalexpression corresponding to each request code. Specifically, the requestcode correspondence tables TBL3 store mobile station IDs of mobilestations 1 whose moving status information is generated for each requestcode. Thus, moving status information of mobile stations 1 correspondingto mobile station IDs, which have been stored in request codecorrespondence tables TBL3 is generated in system control unit 31.System control unit 31 deletes request code correspondence tables TBL3when system control unit 31 transmits moving status information toresearch server 4.

[0118] On the other hand, location information obtainment table TBL4indicates whether each mobile station 1 is the target whose locationinformation is to be obtained. As shown in FIG. 12, location informationobtainment table TBL4 stores location information obtainment flag F1corresponding to each mobile station 1 of each user UZ who is under themoving status information-providing contract. Location informationobtainment flag F1 indicates which mobile station 1 is the target, withregard to which, the processing for obtaining location information iscarried out. When location information obtainment flag F1 is “1”, systemcontrol unit 31 determines that mobile station 1 is the target whoselocation information is to be obtained. Then, system control unit 31carries out the processing for obtaining location information frommobile station 1. On the other hand, when location informationobtainment flag F1 is “0”, system control unit 31 determines that mobilestation 1 is not the target whose location information is to beobtained.

[0119] Location information obtainment flags F1 which become “1” inlocation information obtainment table TBL4, correspond to mobile stationIDs stored in each request code correspondence table TBL3. That is,targets whose location information is to be obtained are mobile stations1 whose moving status information is obtained.

[0120] When mobile station IDs corresponding to location informationobtainment flags F1 do not exist in all of the request codecorrespondence tables TBL3 stored in table storing table 34, by deletingrequest code correspondence tables TBL3, location information obtainmentflags F1 can be modified from “1” to “0” by system control unit 31.

[0121] Methods of storing a variety of information in tables which havebeen stored in table storing unit 34 will be explained in detail later.

[0122] Location information storing unit 35 stores location informationof users UZ who are under the moving status information-providingcontract. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the memory content of locationinformation storing unit 35. As shown in FIG. 13, location informationstoring unit 35 stores, for each mobile station 1 of each user UZ who isunder the moving status information-providing contract, locationinformation of the user UZ and the times when the location informationis obtained.

[0123] System control unit 31 obtains location information atpredetermined intervals (for example, at intervals of 10 minutes) frommobile stations 1 whose location information obtainment flag F1 are “1”in location information obtainment table TBL4. System control unit 31stores the obtained location information in location information storingunit 35 and records the time when the location information is obtainedin location information storing unit 35. At this stage, system controlunit 31 extracts a mobile station ID from the transmitted locationinformation and records the location information in the place oflocation information storing unit 35 corresponding to the mobile stationID. The location information of each mobile station 1 which has beenstored in location information storing unit 35 in this manner is deletedin order of decreasing duration of its entry. Location information isdeleted when location information obtainment flag F1 corresponding tothe mobile station ID of mobile station 1 is modified from “1” to “0”,or when the oldest research period corresponding to request codesexpires.

[0124] Methods by which system control unit 31 obtains locationinformation from mobile stations 1, can be as follows: System controlunit 31 calls mobile station 1 and obtains location information; ormobile station 1 may determine to transmit location information tomoving status search server 3 and so on. In the present embodiment, weassume that system control unit 31 calls mobile stations 1 and obtainslocation information.

[0125] User point storing unit 36 stores accredited points of each userUZ.

[0126] Account data storing unit 37 stores account data corresponding toa moving status information providing charge for each research companyMC, which is under the contract of providing moving status information.Each time moving status search server 3 sends moving status informationto research server 4, the account data is updated by accumulating theaccount data according to a predetermined charge structure of the movingstatus information providing charge.

[0127] [1.3] Operation of Mobile Communication System

[0128] The operation of the mobile communication system according to thepresent embodiment will be explained below with reference to thedrawings. The operation of the present embodiment will be explainedbelow in the following order. (1) the operation of receiving requestsfor research from company RC, (2) the operation of obtaining locationinformation, (3) the operation of generating and providing moving statusinformation.

[0129] (1) Operation of Receiving Requests for Research from Company RC

[0130] First, company RC requests research company MC to conductresearch. The research request may take many forms. For example, aresearch person of company RC may request an employee of researchcompany MC to research by telephone or by electronic mail. Further, theresearch person of company RC requests the employee of research companyMC to research through an interview with the employee.

[0131] In case the content of the request for research from company RCis “popular sites for male office workers in their thirties living inTokyo”, an operator of research company MC inputs a conditionalexpression such as “male”, * “the thirties”, * “Tokyo”, * “officeworker”* “popular sites” along with the name of company RC (for example,“company A”) according to the content of the request. At this stage,data such as “July 10, 5:00 to July 20, 5:00” is inputted as a researchperiod.

[0132] When the operator performs the input operation in this manner,system control unit 41 of research sever 4 determines, for example, “#1”as a request code corresponding to the client's name, the researchperiod, and the conditional expression. Then, system control unit 41stores the request code, client's name, research period, and conditionalexpression in request management table TBL1 of request management tablestoring unit 43. As a result, the memory content of request managementtable TBL1 of research server 4 becomes the one shown in FIG. 6. Systemcontrol unit 41 transmits, to moving status search server 3, a requestfor providing moving status information to which the request code, theresearch period, and the conditional expression are added from among avariety of information which has been stored in request management tableTBL1.

[0133] Next, the request for providing moving status informationtransmitted from research server 4 is received by communication unit 32of moving status search server 3 and transmitted to system control unit31. When the request for providing moving status information istransmitted to system control unit 31, the processing shown in theflowchart of FIG. 14 is carried out by system control unit 31.

[0134] First, system control unit 31 extracts the request code, theresearch period, and the conditional expression, which have been addedto the request for providing moving status information transmitted fromresearch server 4 (step Sa1). Further, system control unit 31 storesextracted information in request content storing table TBL2, which hasbeen stored in table storing unit 34 (step Sa2). As a result, requestcontent storing table TBL2 stores the same information as the one whichhas been stored in request management table TBL1 of research server 4other than the client's name.

[0135] Next, system control unit 31 prepares, in table storing unit 34,request code correspondence table TBL3 corresponding to request code“#1”, which has been stored in request content storing table TBL2 (stepSa3).

[0136] After request code correspondence table TBL3 is prepared in thismanner, system control unit 31 searches user attribute informationdatabase 33 according to the conditional expression (in this case,“male”, * “the thirties”, * “Tokyo”, * “office worker”* “popular sites”)which has been stored in request content storing table TBL2 (step Sa4).In case the user attribute information matching the conditionalexpression is found not to exist as a result of the search, thedetermination in step Sa5 in system control unit 31 becomes “No” and theprocessing comes to an end.

[0137] On the other hand, in case the user attribute informationmatching the conditional expression is found to exist as a result of thesearch in step Sa5 (“Yes”), system control unit 31 extracts mobilestation IDs corresponding to the user attribute information (step Sa6).For example, in case the memory content of user attribute informationdatabase 33 is such as the one shown in FIG. 9, user attributeinformation corresponding to mobile station ID “MS1” is found as userattribute information matching the conditional expression. In this case,system control unit 31 determines that mobile station 1 corresponding tomobile station ID “MS1” is the target whose moving status information isgenerated, and extracts mobile station ID “MS1” (step Sa5, Sa6).Further, system control unit 31 stores the extracted mobile station ID“MS1” in request code correspondence table TBL3 which has been made instep Sa3 (in this case, request code correspondence table TBL3corresponding to the request code “#1”) (step Sa7).

[0138] Next, system control unit 31 determines whether locationinformation obtainment flag F1 corresponding to mobile station ID “MS1”is “0” in location information obtainment table TBL4 (step Sa8). In casethe result of the determination in step Sa8 location informationobtainment flag F1 corresponding to mobile station ID “MS1” is “1”(“Yes”), system control unit 31 does not modify location informationobtainment flag F1 and the processing proceeds to step Sa10.

[0139] On the other hand, in case the result of the determination instep Sa8 location information obtainment flag F1 corresponding to mobilestation ID “MS1” is “0” (“No”), system control unit 31 modifies locationinformation obtainment flag F1 to “1”, and the processing proceeds tostep Sa10 (step Sa9).

[0140] When the processing proceeds to step 10 in this manner, systemcontrol unit 31 determines whether it has completed searching for anyuser attribute information, which has been stored in user attributeinformation database 33. In case the search has been completed (step Sa9“Yes”), system control unit 31 concludes the processing. On the otherhand, in the instance where the search has not been completed, systemcontrol unit 31 determines mobile station 1 whose moving statusinformation is to be obtained by repeatedly carrying out the processingof steps Sa4 to Sa10.

[0141] (2) Operation for Obtaining Location Information

[0142] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the operation for obtaininglocation information will be explained. This processing is performed bysystem control unit 31 of moving status search server 3 at certainintervals independent of the aforementioned operation in receivingrequests for research from company RC.

[0143] In FIG. 15, “M” indicates the number of users UZ who are underthe moving status information-providing contract, including userattribute information which has been stored in user attributeinformation database 33. “N” corresponds to each mobile station ID,which has been stored in location information obtainment table TBL4. Forexample, when “N” is “1”, the mobile station ID “MS1” is the target ofthe processing. And when “N” is “2”, the mobile station ID “MS2” is thetarget of the processing. The content of FIG. 12 is the same as that ofthe content of location information obtainment table TBL4 as explainedbelow.

[0144] First, system control unit 31 writes the time when it started theprocessing in location information storing unit 35 (step Sb1). Aftersetting a value of “N” up as “0”, system control unit 31 increments “N”by only “1” (step Sb2, Sb3). After making “N” into “1” in this manner,system control unit 31 reads out location information obtainment flag F1corresponding to mobile station ID “MS1” in location informationobtainment table TBL4 (step Sb4).

[0145] Next, system control unit 31 determines whether the value oflocation information obtainment flag F1 corresponding to the mobilestation ID “MS1” is “1” or not (step Sb5). In this case, since locationinformation obtainment flag F1 corresponding to mobile station ID “MS1”is “1”, system control unit 31 determines “Yes” in step Sb5. Systemcontrol unit 31 identifies mobile station 1 corresponding to mobilestation ID “MS1” as the target whose location information is to beobtained and carries out the processing of calling mobile station 1corresponding to mobile station ID “MS1” (step Sb6).

[0146] Next, system control unit 31 transmits a request for locationinformation to mobile station 1 (step Sb7). Until location informationis transmitted from mobile station 1, system control unit 31 is onstandby (step Sb8). When the request for location informationtransmitted from moving status search server 3 is received by mobilestation 1, CPU 111 reads out aforementioned locationinformation-reporting program from ROM 112 and instructs locationinformation-calculating unit 15 to calculate location information.Location information-calculating unit 15 transmits calculated locationinformation to CPU 111. CPU 111 transmits location informationtransmitted from location information-calculating unit 15 in this mannerto mobile packet communication network 2 through transmitter/receiverunit 12.

[0147] On the other hand, system control unit 31 of moving status searchserver 3, upon receiving location information transmitted from mobilestation 1, determines “Yes” in step Sb8. Then, the processing proceedsto step Sb9. System control unit 31 writes received location informationin the place of location information storing unit 35 corresponding tomobile station ID “MS1” (step Sb9).

[0148] After the location information is written, system control unit 31determines whether the value of “N” exceeds the value of “M” (stepSb10). Because “N=1” in this example, system control unit 31 carries outstep Sb3 and increments the value of “N” by only “1”. Further, systemcontrol unit 31 reads out location information obtainment flag F1corresponding to mobile station ID “MS2” (step Sb4).

[0149] Next, system control unit 31 determines whether the value oflocation information obtainment flag F1 corresponding to mobile stationID “MS2” is “1” or not (step Sb5). Since location information obtainmentflag F1 corresponding to mobile station ID “MS2” is “0” in this example,system control unit 31 determines “No” in step Sb5. As a result, systemcontrol unit 31 identifies mobile station 1 corresponding to mobilestation ID “MS2” as the target whose location information is notobtained (step Sb5). System control unit 31 determines that the value of“N” does not exceed the value of “M” in step Sb10, carries out step Sb3again, and increments the value of “N” by only “1”.

[0150] Hereinafter, the processing similar to the foregoing is repeated,when the processing corresponding to all mobile station IDs which havebeen stored in location information obtainment table TBL4 comes to anend; and the value of “N” is equal to the value of “M” (step Sb10“Yes”), system control unit 31 concludes the processing.

[0151] (3) Operation of Generating and Providing Moving StatusInformation

[0152] Next, the operation of generating and transmitting moving statusinformation will be explained as FIG. 16. The processing is performed bysystem control unit 31 when a research period which has been stored inrequest content storing table TBL2 of moving status search server 3expires. Thus, the processing is not carried out until the researchperiod expires “Y” in FIG. 16 indicates the number of mobile stationIDs, which have been stored in request code correspondence table TBL3 tobe processed. On the other hand, “X” corresponds to each mobile stationID, which has been stored in request code correspondence table TBL3. Theforegoing will be explained more specifically as follows. First, weassume that request code correspondence table TBL3, which is the targetof the processing of generating moving status information has the samecontent as request code “#1” shown in FIG. 11. In this assumption, when“X” is “1”, mobile station ID “MS1” is the target of the processing.When “X” is “2”, mobile station ID “MS7” is the target of theprocessing. To explain more specifically, we assume that the researchperiod corresponding to request code “#1” expires and the content ofrequest content storing table TBL2 and of request code correspondencetable TBL3 is the same as the one shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0153] First, system control unit 31 reads out request codecorrespondence table TBL3 corresponding to request code “#1” from tablestoring unit 34 (step Sc1). After reading out request codecorrespondence table TBL3 in this manner, system control unit 31 seeksthe number of mobile station IDs, which have been stored in request codecorrespondence table TBL3 and determines the value of “X” and “Y”.

[0154] Next, after making the value of “X” into “0”, system control unit31 increments “X” by only “1” (step Sc2, Sc3). Setting “X” up as “1” inthis manner, system control unit 31 reads out the mobile station IDcorresponding to “X=1”, that is mobile station ID “MS1”, in request codecorrespondence table TBL3 corresponding to request code “#1” (step Sc4).

[0155] Next, system control unit 31 determines that mobile station 1corresponding to mobile station ID “MS1” is the target whose movingstatus information is generated and carries out the processing ofgenerating moving status information of mobile station 1 correspondingto mobile station ID “MS1” (step Sc5).

[0156] The following processing is carried out in the processing ofgenerating moving status information.

[0157] (i) System control unit 31 reads out the research periodcorresponding to request code “#1” in request content storing tableTBL2.

[0158] (ii) System control unit 31 reads out location information, whichhas been obtained within the research period out of location informationcorresponding to the mobile station ID which has been stored in locationinformation storing unit 35. Then, system control unit 31 plots dots ona latitude/longitude grid corresponding to the location informationrepresented by the aforementioned geographic information.

[0159] (iii) System control unit 31 connects the dots plotted on a mapwith a line in the order of decreasing earliness to describe a trafficline on the map.

[0160] After a generation of moving status information corresponding tomobile station ID “MS1” has been completed in this manner, systemcontrol unit 31 writes the generated moving status information on thehard disk which it comprises (not shown) (step Sc6). Further, systemcontrol unit 31 determines whether the value of “X” exceeds the value of“Y” (step Sc7). As “X=1” in this example, system control unit 31 carriesout step Sc3 to increment the value of “X” by only “1”.

[0161] System control unit 31 repeats the processing described above(steps Sc3 to Sc7) until the value of “X” is equal to the value of “Y”(step Sc7 “Yes”), that is until the processing corresponding to allmobile station IDs which have been stored in request code correspondencetable TBL3 has been completed. As a result, the moving statusinformation of all users UZ having user attribute information matchingthe conditional expression corresponding to request code “#1”transmitted from research server 4, is generated and transmitted to thehard disk (not shown) in system control unit 31.

[0162] Next, system control unit 31 reads out moving status informationof each user UZ, which has been stored on the hard disk (step Sc8).Further, system control unit 31 adds request code “#1” to each movingstatus information which has been read out and sequentially transmits toresearch server 4, moving status information to which the request codehas been added (step Sc9).

[0163] Next, system control unit 31 adds account data corresponding to amoving status information providing charge to account data of accountdata storing unit 37. At this stage, a set commission is deducted fromthe moving status information providing charge and the balance isdivided among all users who have provided moving status information.Then, points corresponding to the divided amount are added to eachuser's account in user point storing unit 36.

[0164] On the other hand, in research server 4, moving statusinformation of each user UZ transmitted from moving status search server3 is sequentially received by communication unit 42 and transmitted tosystem control unit 41. Next, system control unit 41 stores receivedmoving status information in moving status information database 44. Atthis stage, system control unit 41 stores each moving status informationin correspondence with each other on the basis of request code “#1”added to the moving status information.

[0165] When moving status information is stored in moving statusinformation database 44 in this manner, moving status information can bereferred to by means of operation terminal 46 of research company MC.Specifically, when information such as a client's name, request code,and so on is inputted by means of operation terminal 46, system controlunit 31 reads out the conditional expression corresponding to theinformation from request management table TBL1; displays the conditionalexpression on the display of operation terminal 46; and displays a listof moving status information which has been stored in moving statusinformation database 44. In this situation, when an operator operatesoperation terminal 46, he/she can display each moving status informationon the display or print out each moving status information by using aprinter connected to operation terminal 46.

[0166] Research company MC draws up information corresponding to arequest for research from company RC by using moving status informationwhich has been stored in moving status information database 44 andprovides company RC with information corresponding to the request as thefindings of research. The findings of research provided to company RCmay take many forms of presentation. For example, when the content ofthe request of research is “popular sites for male office workers intheir thirties living in Tokyo”, research company MC may draw up reportssuch as “popular site rankings” on the basis of obtained moving statusinformation and visit company RC to hand in the report. Research companyMC may submit to company RC research information drawn up on the basisof moving status information contained in various storage medias.Further, research company MC may transmit research information to theconcerned person at company RC by electronic mail and so on.

[0167] (1) Effects of Embodiment

[0168] As described above, in the present embodiment, conditions aredesignated on the basis of a request for research from a company andmoving status information of users having attributes matching theconditions are provided to a research company. Thus, the researchcompany can draw up findings of research corresponding to the requestfor research from the company without the aid of questionnaires forwhich it is necessary to expend on manpower.

[0169] In the present embodiment, moving status information is generatedin a moving status search server, which a mobile communication carrierpossesses, and in the process of providing the moving statusinformation, the identity of the users who provide the moving statusinformation are not revealed to the research company. Thus, the mobilecommunication carrier can provide the research company with movingstatus information while also protecting the privacy of each user.

[0170] Moving status information corresponding to only users who areunder the moving status information-providing contract is provided tothe research company in the present embodiment. Thus, information ofusers who do not want to provide their own moving status information canbe prevented from leaking out, and making the contract in providingmoving status information can effectively prevent problems from arisingsubsequently.

[0171] In the present embodiment, paying compensation for providingmoving status information on to users in the form of money or the like,can become an incentive to users to make the moving statusinformation-providing contract.

[0172] Moving status search server 3 obtains location information frommobile stations 1 at certain intervals in the present embodiment;however, the timing of obtaining the information may be set at irregularintervals.

[0173] In the present embodiment, attributes of users included in userattribute information which moving status search server 3 has areexplained with reference to the attributes shown in FIG. 9. However,user attribute information is naturally not limited to these attributesand may include other attributes.

[0174] [1.4] Modifications

[0175] <Modification 1>

[0176] An operator of research company MC inputs a conditionalexpression and so on, corresponding to a request for research fromcompany RC into operation terminal 46 of research server 4 in thepresent embodiment. However, in the instance where company RC possessesa computer system, it is naturally possible to input a conditionalexpression and so on by means of the computer system and transmit therequest for research to research server 4 via mobile packetcommunication network 2.

[0177] In this case, if the conditional expression and a research periodis inputted by means of the computer system which company RC possesses,the computer system transmits to research server 4 its own address (forexample, telephone number, or IP address), and a request for research towhich the inputted conditional expression and a research period areadded. System control unit 41 of research server 4 specifies a client'sname on the basis of the address of the computer system of company RCadded to the received request for research and stores information suchas the conditional expression added to the request for research and soon, along with the client's name in request management table TBL1.

[0178] When company RC possesses the above described computerized systemfor conducting research, the research information can be provided viamobile packet communication network 2.

[0179] In this case, the computer system of company RC does not need todirectly communicate with mobile packet communication network 2. Forexample, when the computer system is connected to the Internet, thecomputer system communicates with mobile packet communication network 2via the Internet. In this case, it is recommended that a relay devicehaving a function of converting communication protocols be installedbetween the two networks, the Internet and mobile packet communicationnetwork 2.

[0180] <Modification 2>

[0181] In the present embodiment, research server 4 is connected tomobile packet communication network 2 and moving status information istransmitted from moving status search server 3 to research server 4 viamobile packet communication network 2. However, moving status searchserver 3 may be connected to research server 4 by a common carrierleased line. Mobile packet communication network 2 may be connected tothe Internet in which research server 4 is installed.

[0182] <Modification 3>

[0183] In the present embodiment, moving status search server 3generates moving status information corresponding to each mobile station1 (that is, each user) whose moving status information is generated, andprovides research server 4 with the moving status information. In otherwords, in the present embodiment, the number of items of moving statusinformation to be generated is equal to the number of mobile stations 1which have been extracted as targets whose moving status information isobtained. Then, the moving status information is provided by movingstatus search server 3 to research server 4. On the other hand, movingstatus search server 3 may display moving statuses relating to allmobile stations 1 on one map (i.e. generate one moving statusinformation) and provide research server 4 with the moving statusinformation.

[0184] In this case, if each mobile station 1 is plotted with adifferent color on the map, it would clarify the changes occurring inthe moving status of each mobile station 1.

[0185] The changes in the moving status may be described by addingfigures or characters to dots plotted on the map.

[0186] In the case of certain parts of the map in which a plurality ofplotted dots overlap, the number of overlapping dots (i.e. the number ofusers in the location of plotted dots) can be specified by changing thesize and the color of the dots. And to further clarify, a table showingthe number of users in the location of the overlapping dots, the age andgender of each user may be added to the aforementioned dots. In thiscase, each dot is assigned a number. A table showing the number of userscorresponding to each number assigned to the dots and the age and thegender of each user along with their moving status information may beprovided.

[0187] In the present embodiment, the moving status information whichmoving status search server 3 provides research server 4, is the same asthe moving status of users indicated on a map. However, information withwhich moving status search server 3 provides research server 4 is notlimited to this form and may take other forms which are obtained on thebasis of location information.

[0188] For example, in plotting dots on the latitude/longitude gridcorresponding to each item of location information on a map, the time ofobtaining the location information corresponding to each dot can beadded to the dots. At this time, for example, the moving directions ofusers may be also be specified by the use of arrows.

[0189] If research server 4 possesses geographic information, it isrecommended that moving status search server 3 when transmitting movingstatus information to research server 4, transmit only the course oftraffic=taken by a user. In this case, system control unit 41 ofresearch server 4 can obtain the same information as in FIG. 3 byoverlapping the geographic information contained in system control unit41, with the moving status information which has been transmitted frommoving status search server 3. In this case, the moving statusinformation of all mobile stations 1 can be described by single trafficlines. And the traffic lines of each mobile station 1 may bedistinguished on the basis of the color of the traffic line. In the caseof the parts on a map in which a plurality of traffic lines overlap, theoverlapping traffic lines whose numbers correspond to the numbers ofusers who passed through the location,) can be indicated by changing thewidth and color of the overlapping lines.

[0190] At this stage, it becomes possible to indicate the direction ofmovement of each mobile station 1 by representing the directions by anarrow or the like on each traffic line. Moreover, moving statusinformation of each user UZ can be described in a tabular form. In thiscase, a table shows the location information of users UZ and the timesof obtaining the location information.

[0191] In the aforementioned modification, the moving status informationof users can be provided while protecting the privacy of the users asthe moving status information which moving status search server 3provides research server 4 does not carry any identifying informationregarding specific users, for example, the mobile station ID, or thelike.

[0192] <Modification 4>

[0193] In the present embodiment, location information which movingstatus search server 3 obtains from mobile stations 1 is obtained byusing the GPS function of mobile stations 1. However, locationinformation may also be obtained by other methods. For example, locationinformation may be obtained by using what is called a “three-pointsmeasurement” system, or by using location registration signalinformation registered in the service control station (not shown) ofmobile packet communication network 2 to specify base station 21 servingmobile stations 1 in mobile packet communication network 2.

[0194] The location registration signal information is obtained asdescribed below. First, mobile station 1 receives a beacon signaltransmitted over “perch channels” from base station 21 and returns itsown mobile station ID as response signal for the beacon signal. Basestation 21 adds its own base station ID to the mobile station IDtransmitted from mobile station 1 and transmits the mobile station ID towhich the base station ID is added to the service control station (notshown). As a result, the mobile station ID and the base station ID ofbase station 21 serving mobile station 1, are registered as locationregistration signal information.

[0195] Moving status search server 3 obtains the base station ID of basestations 21 serving each mobile station 1 from the service controlstation and obtains location information on the basis of the obtainedbase station ID. At this stage, moving status search server 3 obtainslocation information of each mobile station 1 from the location of basestation 21 corresponding to the obtained base station ID.

[0196] <Modification 5>

[0197] The mobile communication system of the present embodiment mayoperate as described in the following examples.

[0198] (a) Increase in Users of Vending Machines

[0199] For example, we may take a case where vending machines areinstalled. In this case, if the vending machine is installed in thelocation carrying the busiest pedestrian traffic and toward thedirection in which goods displayed are conspicuous, it is expected thatsales from the vending machine will increase. At this stage, the mobilecommunication system can be used to estimate the most appropriatelocation and the direction for installing the vending machine. Thefollowing operation of the mobile communication system is recommended inthe case.

[0200] First, data indicating the address of the predetermined sitewhere the vending machine will be installed is inputted into operationterminal 46. Moving status search server 3 identifies the base stationID corresponding to the data transmitted from operation terminal 46 andobtains location information of mobile stations 1 whose response signalsinclude their base station ID. At this stage, the service controlstation stores all histories of location information of each mobilestation 1 and transmits the histories to moving status search server 3.Moving status search server 3 generates moving status information fromthe obtained location information and maps the generated moving statusinformation on a map.

[0201] When moving status information is mapped on a map in this manner,the location carrying the busiest pedestrian traffic and the directionin which most pedestrians move can be visually represented. Thisindicates that a plurality of users designated by attributes converge ona certain dot on the map. Thus, a dot on a map meeting a certaincondition can be estimated by using the mobile communication network ofthe present modification (a).

[0202] The foregoing explains the instance where a certain dot on a mapis estimated as a result of obtaining moving status information.Furthermore, by setting a certain dot on a map as a control point, themoving status information can be used to estimate how people gather atthe control point. More specifically, in order to obtain informationindicating which path customers of a certain restaurant take mostfrequently, to come to the restaurant, it is recommended that dataindicating the address of the location of the restaurant be inputted asa search condition, and the moving status information of mobile stations1 around this address be obtained. Thus, moving status information canbe used to estimate the location where advertisements on the street suchas distribution of leaflets can be made most effectively.

[0203] (b) Increase in Students of Cram, or ‘Additional Study’ Schools

[0204] Next, we assume that a cram school is looking to set up anadvertisement. In this case, it is desirable to obtain moving statusinformation indicating which path students coming out of their dayschool take to their nearest bus stop or railway station. At this stage,the mobile communication system of the present modification (b) can beused.

[0205] In this case, it is recommended that data indicating the locationof the school and data indicating the location of the station beinputted into operation terminal 46. Users having the attribute of beinga student are selected out of users having mobile stations 1. Thecontent described in the present modification (a) appliescorrespondingly to operations other than the operation described above.Thus, moving status information of mobile stations 1 around the schooland the station can be drawn up.

[0206] As a result, moving status information indicating which pathstudents take from their school to the station or the bus stop, can begenerated. The most effective location for setting up the sign orplacing advertisements can be visually represented on the basis of themoving status information. In other words, it is possible to determinehow users UZ having a certain attribute move between a plurality ofpoints designated on a map by using moving status information.

[0207] (c) Safety Management and Traffic Control in Events

[0208] For example, we assume that a summer fireworks display is beingheld. Since a lot of people attend such an event, traffic jams can occuraround the place where the event is held, causing traffic accidents dueto misinformation and confusion. In this situation, the mobilecommunication system of the present modification can be used for trafficcontrol or safety management in and around the place where the event isbeing held.

[0209] So, the address indicating a predetermined area, for example, thename of the town or village, is inputted as a condition into operationterminal 46. The content described in the present modification (a)applies correspondingly to operations other than the operation describedabove. Thus, location information of mobile stations 1 in a wider areacan be obtained. In other words, it is possible to determine how usershaving a certain attribute move in the designated area on a map on thebasis of the moving status information accessed through the mobilecommunication system of the present modification (c).

[0210] As a result, traffic conditions in and around the place where theevent is held can be known, and the mobile communication system ineffect can help achieve better traffic control, as well as guidepedestrians to the location of the event.

[0211] Since moving status search server 3 of the present modificationobtains the base station ID of base stations 21 serving each mobilestation 1 at certain intervals from the service control station,locations of spectators and paths of the movement of spectators can bedetermined concurrent to the happening.

[0212] (d) Tourist Information

[0213] For example, well known tourist information regarding popularsightseeing places given on a map can be taken as reference when drawingup moving status information on various converging points of people of acertain town. The mobile communication system of the presentmodification (d), is able to grasp the moving statuses of mobilestations 1 in a wider area in comparison to the above mentionedmodification (c).

[0214] In this case, the address indicating a predetermined areacovering a wider geographic location such as a prefecture, or a city canbe designated as a condition inputted into operation terminal 46. Thecontent described in modification (a) applies correspondingly tooperations other than the operation described above.

[0215] When moving status information obtained in this manner is mappedon a map, it is possible to visually grasp the locations where peopleconverge in a wider area.

[0216] In various examples described in the present modification, movingstatus information drawn up on the basis of location information may bemapped on a map, and the moving status information may be the one inwhich a plurality of obtained location information are mapped on one mapin chronological order. Various examples described in the presentmodification can be realized through a method of obtaining locationinformation using the GPS explained in the embodiment.

[0217] <Modification 6>

[0218] In the present embodiment, research company MC requests mobilecommunication carrier NC to provide moving status information on thebasis of a request for research from company RC. However, mobilecommunication carrier NC may serve as research server 4 by adding thefunction of research server 4 to moving status search server 3, and alsoperform the operations of research company MC.

[0219] <Modification 7>

[0220] In the present embodiment, research company MC requests mobilecommunication carrier NC to provide moving status information on thebasis of a request for research from company RC. However, company RC maydirectly request mobile communication carrier NC to provide movingstatus information. In this case, company RC may serve as researchserver 4 and mobile communication carrier NC may draw up the findings ofthe research by adding the function of research server 4 to movingstatus search server 3.

[0221] <Modification 8>

[0222] In the present embodiment, user attribute information of users UZof mobile stations 1 is stored in user attribute information database 33of moving status search server 3. However, the user attributeinformation may be stored in mobile packet communication network 2.

[0223] In this case, when user UZ of mobile station 1 subscribes to thecommunication service of mobile packet communication network 2, userattribute information of user UZ is registered in the service controlstation (not shown) of mobile packet communication network 2. Movingstatus search server 3 searches user attribute information registered inthe service control station for user attribute information matching aconditional expression transmitted from research server 4 in generatingmoving status information. It becomes possible to generate moving statusinformation by obtaining location information of mobile stations 1 ofusers UZ pinpointed as a result of the search.

[0224] <Modification 9>

[0225] In the present embodiment, moving status information of onlyusers UZ who are under the moving status information-providing contractis provided to research company MC. However, moving status informationof all users UZ may be provided to research company MC without makingthe particular contract of providing information. In this case, it wouldbe necessary to secure the user's agreement to the possibility of movingstatus information being used for any purpose, in exchange for availingof the packet switching of mobile packet communication network 2.

[0226] <Modification 10>

[0227] In the present embodiment, moving status search server 3 receivesa moving status information providing charge and passes the movingstatus information providing charge on to users UZ of mobile stations 1.However, a method which may bypass the paying of the moving statusinformation providing charge to users can also be considered.

[0228] If the moving status information providing charge received fromresearch company MC covers the running costs of mobile communicationcarrier NC, the income may be so utilized; but in exchange, the use ofmobile packet communication network 2 can be free of charge.

[0229] <Modification 11>

[0230] In the present embodiment, users of all mobile stations 1 are thetargets whose moving status information is obtained. However, thetargets whose moving status information is obtained need not be limitedto people, and may also include animals or objects.

[0231] For example, if a small device having the same function as mobilestations 1 is attached to animals (i.e. as a collar), the ecology ofanimals can be researched. In this case, the small device is attached totargets randomly selected from all species of animals existing on earth.Then, according to requests from research organizations (i.e. toresearch the ecology of great egrets), it is possible to obtain thecorresponding moving status information.

[0232] For example, if a device having the same function as mobilestations 1 is attached to automobiles, such as taxis and so on, movingstatuses and so on of the automobile can be obtained.

[0233] <Modification 12>

[0234] In the present embodiment, geographic information can begenerated by obtaining the latitude/longitude of location information ofmobile stations 1. Alternatively, it is also possible to install thefunction of calculating not only latitude/longitude but also thealtitude in location information-calculating unit 15 of mobile stations1 so as to obtain the altitude as location information.

[0235] Thus, system control unit 31 of moving status search server 3 candetermine the location of a building and on which floor of a building auser is located. As a result, it becomes possible to obtain athree-dimensional, and a more detailed moving status information. Inother words, according to the present modification, it is possible todetermine which path users who fulfill a required set of attributes takewhen passing through a designated space on a map.

[0236] <Modification 13>

[0237] The present embodiment describes an instance, where a personcarrying mobile station 1 (i.e. a user of mobile station 1) and a personmaking the moving status information-providing contract (i.e. the ownerof mobile station 1) is the same individual. However, it is alsopossible that the two persons are different individuals.

[0238] For example, the president of a certain company may distributemobile stations 1 to company employees and permits the use of the mobilestations. In this case the moving status providing contract is madebetween the employee and the company, and the president of the companyin turn, makes the moving status information-providing contract withmobile communication carrier NC. Mobile communication carrier NC, uponreceiving moving status information, passes the moving statusinformation providing charge to the president of the company, that is,the owner of mobile stations 1. The president of the company may chooseto allocate the passed charge to the communication service charges ofmobile stations 1 distributed to the employees who are the users ofmobile stations 1. In this manner, it is possible to make the movingstatus information-providing contract even if the owner and the user ofa mobile station are not the same individual.

[0239] <Modification 14>

[0240] In the present embodiment, research company MC generates movingstatus information according to the conditions inputted by company RCand draws up findings of research on the basis of moving statusinformation. However, research company MC may also serve as company RCand concurrently perform operations which include selection of targetsand items to be researched to drawing up the findings of research. Inother words, it does not matter what modification of form the presentinvention may take, as long as moving status information is drawn up onthe basis of location information of mobile stations 1 provided bymoving status search server 3, and the information can be utilized formaking statistical determinations. Thus, it becomes possible to use thefindings of the research in providing certain services which researchcompany MC provides, or to resell the findings of the research to othercompanies.

[0241] As explained above, the invention enables the obtaining of movingstatus information of a user of a mobile station on the basis oflocation information of a mobile station and providing organizationsother than a mobile communication carrier with the moving statusinformation while protecting the privacy of the user. Furthermore, thepresent invention makes it possible to keep a track of the movements ofpeople who choose to carry mobile stations, by maintaining a record ofmoving status information, which is location information of a user of amobile station obtained within a specific period of time.

1. A moving status information providing method, comprising: a step ofobtaining location information indicating a location of a mobile stationserved by a mobile communication network; a step of receiving adesignation of arbitrary target attribute information and a period ofmonitoring a moving status by a server storing target attributeinformation indicating the attribute of a target carrying said mobilestation in correspondence with said mobile station; a step ofgenerating, by said server, moving status information of said mobilestation corresponding to designated said target attribute information onthe basis of time series location information obtained by said mobilecommunication network within designated said period of monitoring; and astep of providing, by said server, moving status information generatedin said step of generating moving status information to an agent outsideof said mobile communication network.
 2. A moving status informationproviding method according to claim 1, wherein, said locationinformation is generated by said mobile station and reported to saidserver.
 3. A moving status information providing method according toclaim 1, wherein, said location information is generated on the basis ofa location of a base station serving a mobile station by said mobilecommunication network.
 4. A moving status information providing methodaccording to claim 1, wherein, said server further comprises a step ofregistering target attribute information of a target carrying saidmobile station in correspondence with said mobile station.
 5. A movingstatus information providing method according to claim 4, wherein, saidserver registers target attribute information of only a target carryingsaid mobile station, a user of which agrees to provide moving statusinformation in said step of registering target attribute information. 6.A moving status information providing method according to claim 1,further comprising: a step of extracting, by said server, a mobilestation corresponding to said target attribute information matching acondition designated by an agent outside of said mobile communicationnetwork, and wherein in said step of obtaining location information,said mobile communication network obtains location information of amobile station extracted by said server in said extracting step.
 7. Amoving status information providing method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a step of extracting, by said server, a mobile stationcorresponding to said target attribute information matching a conditiondesignated by an agent outside of said mobile communication network; anda step of registering mobile station identification information foruniquely specifying said mobile station extracted by said server in saidextracting step, and wherein in said step of obtaining locationinformation, said mobile communication network obtains locationinformation of a mobile station corresponding to mobile stationidentification information registered by said server in said step ofregistering mobile station identification information.
 8. A movingstatus information providing method according to claim 1, wherein, saidserver provides said moving status information in a format designated byan agent outside of said mobile communication network in said providingstep.
 9. A moving status information providing method according to claim1, wherein, said server transmits said moving status information to anode outside of said mobile communication network capable ofcommunicating with said server in said providing step.
 10. A movingstatus information providing method according to claim 6, wherein: saidserver transmits said moving status information to a node outside ofsaid mobile communication network capable of communicating with saidserver in said providing step; and said node links said moving statusinformation transmitted from said server with a condition designated insaid extracting step.
 11. A moving status information providing methodaccording to claim 1, wherein, said server calls a mobile station of atarget whose said location information is obtained, and obtains locationinformation from said mobile station in said step of obtaining locationinformation.
 12. A moving status information providing method accordingto claim 1, wherein, said moving status information is informationshowing a moving status of said target on a map.
 13. A moving statusinformation providing method according to claim 12, wherein, informationshown in said map shows how a plurality of said targets having adesignated attribute converged on a certain dot on said map.
 14. Amoving status information providing method according to claim 1,wherein, information shown on said map shows which path a plurality ofsaid targets having a designated attribute moved between a plurality ofdots designated on said map.
 15. A moving status information providingmethod according to claim 12, wherein, information shown on said mapshows which path a plurality of said targets having a designatedattribute moved in an area designated on said map.
 16. A moving statusinformation providing method according to claim 12, wherein, informationshown on said map shows which path a plurality of said targets having adesignated attribute moved in a space designated on said map.
 17. Amoving status information providing method according to claim 1,wherein, said user receives a value for providing moving statusinformation of a target carrying said mobile station from an owner ofsaid server.
 18. A moving status information providing method accordingto claim 17, wherein: said server stores a point corresponding to anamount of compensation which an owner of said server should pay to auser of said mobile station in correspondence with said user; and a userof said mobile station receives a service corresponding to said point,which said server has stored in correspondence with said user from anowner of said server.
 19. A moving status information providing methodaccording to claim 17, wherein: an owner of said server is a mobilecommunication carrier providing a communication service via said mobilecommunication network; and an owner of said server determines a chargefor providing a communication service of said mobile communicationnetwork to a user of said mobile station in consideration ofcompensation to be paid to an user of said mobile station.
 20. A movingstatus information providing method according to claim 17, wherein: anowner of said server is a mobile communication carrier providing acommunication service via said mobile communication network; and anowner of said server provides a service corresponding to compensation tobe paid to a user of said mobile station by attaching said service tosaid communication service.
 21. A moving status information providingmethod according to claim 1, wherein, a target carrying said mobilestation is a user of said mobile station.
 22. A moving statusinformation providing method according to claim 1, wherein, said mobilestation is a cellular phone performing communication via said mobilecommunication network.
 23. A server, comprising: a storing unit whichstores target attribute information indicating an attribute of a targetcarrying a mobile station in correspondence with said mobile station; adesignation receiving unit which receives a designation of arbitrarytarget attribute information and a period of monitoring a moving status;a moving status information generating unit which generates movingstatus information of said mobile station corresponding to designatedsaid target attribute information based on time series locationinformation obtained by said mobile communication network within saiddesignated period of monitoring; and a providing unit which providesmoving status information generated in said step of generating movingstatus information to an agent outside of said mobile communicationnetwork.
 24. A server according to claim 23, wherein, said locationinformation is generated by said mobile station and reported to saidserver.
 25. A server according to claim 23, wherein, said locationinformation is generated by said mobile communication network on thebasis of a location of a base station serving a mobile station.